Radio tuning system and device



A ril 15, 1941. G. E. MASTERS 2,233,391

RADIO TUNING SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 23, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1a 17 18 Al I r 169 Q h a 4 1:9 180 171 F- 177 |4 34925. I

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hip ATTORNEY April 15, 1941.

G. E. MASTERS RADIO TUNING SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 23, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 in}? ATTORNEY Ap i 15, 1 41- G. E. MASTERS I RADIO TUNING SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 23, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 104,. MI I I I I IU M 29 WJw 1 \w 6 1 9 ll NH ,r lfibb M 7 w I U 9 n W F w W 5 M 4 5 9 0 3 1 9 j \a a M {LII W 0 0 9 1.0. fl I i l 3 l/ IVHMIIII 1 W/fl IL m 7/ 1 m m H W J rm 5% N M V N] f M m 5 a JaipATTORNEY 1&7 10; 102

April 1941- 'G. E. MASTERS 2,238,391

RADIO TUNING SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 23, 1939 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 BY/ I In; ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 2,238,391 RADIO TUNING SYSTEM AND DEVICE George E. Masters, Miami, Fla.

Application March 23, 1939, Serial No. 263,625

6 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to means for tuning radio receivers, and especially to a novel system of, and a mechanism for automatically tuning any type of existing radio receivers, designed originally ior manual tuning operation, by either a clock controlled operation, or by means of individual station tuning units, which latter may be optionally operated either through push buttons or by stationary or portable remote controls, and wherein, simultaneously with such automatic station tuning, an automatic setting of the volume control or controls of the receiver is also efiected.

Automatic and time controlled tuning is generally known. In these so-called automatic tuning devices, the station tuning is accomplished by either levers, keys, buttons, or similar means, which, however, are limited in numbers, with the consequence that only relatively few stations may be tuned automatically.

The prime object of my invention is to provide an entirely self-contained mechanism, adapted to be applicable to, and readily connectable with any existing radio receiver, from which latter the mechanism is originally absolutely independent, and which mechanism, when applied to an .existing receiver, becomes virtually only mechanically connected with the receiver, with the exception of the power input and audio output circuits of the receiver, which circuits are controlled by the mechanism.

The present invention further contemplates a novel system and a novel combination of devices, whereby not only ordinary manual tuning and manual control of the volume may be had, but whereby an automatic station tuning, as well as an automatic setting of the volume control for a station automatically tuned in by a clock mechanism, by push buttons or by remote control, is provided, and wherein the number of stations to be automatically tuned in by push buttons may be increased to any desired number without an increase of tuning buttons or the like, for the additional stations desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in addition to the automatic and time controlled tuning, means for facilitating the tuning by remote control, and wherein such remote control tuning device may take the form of one or more major stationary controls, having provisions for connecting thereto portable or extension remote controls.

Summarizing the outstanding features of the present invention, the same consists of a radio tuning system, involving automatic push button tuning operation, time controlled automatic station tuning operation, and stationary or portable remote control operation, all of which tuning operations may be accompanied, at will, by a simultaneous, automatic setting or a pre-adjusted volume control for any station to be tuned The foregoing novel objects and additional advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the ensuing description of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l diagrammatically illustrates aradio receiving device with an automatic tuning system and remote controls, in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial detailed view in section, taken on lines 22 of Fig. 1, and illustrating a fragmentary portion of the push button controlled relays.

Fig. 3 is a detailed cross sectional view, taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2, showing an elevation of the motor control switch and its relay.

Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view, taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing a typical push button arrangement in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detailed view, taken on lines 55 of Fig. 2, illustrating a switch controlling the loud speaker operation.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the motorized mech anism for operating the tuning and volume controls of a receiver.

Fig. '7 is an elevation of the'mechanism, partially in cross section, taken on lines l'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross section, taken on lines 88 of Fig. 6, showing a portion of the pre-adjusting mechanism for automatically setting the volume control for a tuned-in station.

Fig. 9 is a detail cross section, taken on lines 9-4! of Fig. 6, illustrating a release arrangement for an essential part of the device.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail elevation, observed from lines Iii-4B of Fig. 6, showing a motor reversing switch mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation, partially in cross section, taken on lines Hl l of Fig. 6, showing the details of the means for controlling the switch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is another side elevation of the same mechanism, with the switch parts thereof in cross section, taken on lines l2-l2 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 13 is a detailedview of a control lever arrangement, taken on sectiton l3-|3 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailed front elevation of my time controlled switch mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the latter.

Fig. 16 is a diagram of my tuning system, and

Fig. 17 is a continuation of a portion of Fig. 16, showing a loud speaker arrangement connected with the remote control of this system.

For the purpose of better understanding of the present invention, my system and most of the devices employed therein, are diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. In the following specification I shall always refer to these figures, when describing the purpose, function, and construction of some of the devices which are shown in detail in other figures. Consequently, the numerals indicating the various parts of my system and devices, appearing in other figures, should be closely followed and compared with the corresponding numbers indicated in Figs. 16 and 17.

Referring'now specifically to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a cabinet, the upper section is of which denotes a cabinet portion for accommodating any existing type of radio receiving apparatus, while the lower portion, indicated at l l, houses an entirely self-contained mechanism, adapted to facilitate the automatic tuning and the automatic setting of the volume control or controls of such radio receiver, when suitably connected with the latter.

The radio receiver is assumed to be provided with the usual radio tuning dial l2, knob l3 for r a tuning shaft, and knob is for a volume control shaft. The mechanism contained in lower cabinet portion ll houses a time piece l for providing automatic time tuning, and a row of push buttons, controlling automatic station tuning units. The push button nearest to time piece [5 is indicated at iii, and controls the same tuning unit as the time piece. The next six buttons are designated by numeral i1, and the last button by numeral l8.

Additionally, there will be observed in the lower cabinet portion H a tuning dial l2 corresponding to tuning dial [2 of the upper portion, a tuning knob 13', the shaft of which is operatively connected with the receiver tuning shaft controlled by knob ii, and a volume controlled knob M, the shaft of which is operatively connected With the shaft of tuning knob M of the upper cabinet portion. Furthermore, there is provided additional station tuning knob i 9, for facilitating the automatic tuning of additional stations, as will be explained presently.

A multiple electric conductor 20, leading from the radio receiver portion of the cabinet, is provided with a plug 2i, and is adapted to be inserted into an electric outlet ill in the usual manner, for supplying electric energy to the de vice. From the cabinet extends a multiple cable 22, shown in broken lines, and leads through an existing wall to one or more wall-mounted stationary remote controls 23, with which latter may be connected by means of a multiple plug 24 and multiple conduit 25, a portable remote control 26. In each of the remote controls 23 and 26 are provided plug-in holes 21 for accommodating a plug 28, which is connected by means of conduit 28 to a portable loud speaker 33.

Details of tuning mechanism My system may be employed in connection with any conventional existing radio receiver, (having a tuning shaft and volume control), and is mechanically independent of the latter; it does not affect any of its functions for which the receiver is designed, including direct hand tuning ill operations. It may, therefore, be connected with almost any type of radio receiver, by simply mounting the latter above or below my mechanism, and by providing suitable rotation transmitting means for the respective operating shafts. The only electrical connection between the mechanism and a receiver with which it may be associated, is limited to the audio output circuit of the receiver, since that circuit is intended to be controlled by the mechanism.

The mechanism is operated both electrically and mechanically, will be best understood by first consulting Figs. 6 and '7. In these figures the lower cabinet portion it contains a dielectric platform 3!, upon which is mounted a reversible electric motor 32, for the operation of the movable parts of my device. Driven by worm 33 of the motor is a worm gear t l, mounted on shaft 35, to which shaft is keyed a pinion 36, in operative engagement with main gear 31.

Gear 31 is mounted upon an outer, hollow shaft 38, which is supported by, and insulated from another, interior hollow shaft 39. This shaft is again insulated from and supported by a solid interior shaft ll mounted in insulated bearings. ecured to the outer end of solid shaft 4!! is tuning knob Iii, provided with an indicator or pointer M, adapted to read upon dial l2, which latter is secured in fixed position at 42 to the front panel of the cabinet. At the other end of shaft it there is secured a disk 43, supporting a bracket at. Pivotally mounted at iii upon the bracket is a contact lever d5, provided with a contact end 5?. This contact end is urged in radially outward direction by a spring t8 interposed between outer end ll" of lever 4G and a bracket extension d9.

At the interior face of disk there is provided a friction facing 50, adapted to engage a similar friction facing 5|, secured to shaft supporting bearing 52. Friction face is normally urged into frictional engagement with friction face 5| by means of spring 53.

Secured at the front to inner hollow shaft 39 is a pulley or sheave 56, connected by means of chain, cord, belt, or other rotation transmitting means with a similar pulley or sheave 54 (Fig. 16), mounted on the tuning shaft of the radio receiver. Keyed also to hollow shaft 3d at its rear end is a disk 55 provided with a contact arm 56, the latter being adapted to cooperate with, and to contact, at certain moments, with spring biased arm 48 of disk d3. Also mounted on shaft 39 are a brake disk 5?, designed to stop the rotation of shaft 39, and a motion transmitting disk 58. The latter is provided with a notch 59 for the reception of a motion transmitting lever Ell, which is pivotally lodged at El and forms a part of an armature for relay 62. This relay is mounted upon exterior hollow shaft 38. Lever 61 is normally urged against the edge of disk 58 by a suitable spring, not shown.

Next to relay 62, and mounted also upon outer shaft 38, but insulated therefrom and from one another. are two contact rings 63 and 54, against which bear brushes 63' and (24'. Shaft 33 is lodged near disk 58 in a bearing 65, from which extends at its lower portion a crescent-shaped ridge or cam 65, which is adapted to lift lever 66 from contact with the edge of disk 58 when lever is swung either to the right or to the left by the rotation of shaft 3.8. Section 3--@ of Fig. 6, illustrated in Fig. 9, clearly shows the arrangement of disk 53 with its notch 59, lever fill, bearing 65, and the crescent-shaped cam 65. The

position which lever 60 has to assume to be lifted away from the edge of disk 58 by cam 65 is indicated in broken lines at the left-hand portion of this figure.

Gear 31 is provided with three operating pins, two at the front, indicated, respectively, at E1 and 68, and a rear pin 69. Front pin 61 is intended to operate, by means of a fork lever 10, a dielectric toggle switch 1|, having a conductive contact segment 1|. The latter is designed to alternately make or break contact with contact blades or brushes 12 and 13. (See Figs. 6, '1 and 16.) The other front pin 68 of gear 31 operates another switch 14, while rear pin 69 operates switch lever 15, more clearly illustrated in Figs. 13 and 16.

Fixedly secured to, but insulated from outer shaft 38 is a station tuning contact arm 18. This arm is electrically connected with contact ring 64, and is adapted to glide over a plurality of individual station contacts 11, which are adjustably mounted upon an insulated, stationary. arcuate support 18, located in rear of gear 31,

Lodged in suitable bearings, next to and below motor 32, there is a shaft 19, seen clearly in Figs. 6, 7 and 13. To this shaft is rigidly secured at its front end an operating lever 80, and at its rear end a locking detent 8|. The latter is provided with a lower locking step 82, and an upper locking step 83, and an insulating member 94.

The purpose of the detent and its construction will be presently evident. Detent 8| is further provided with a hump-like extension 85, against which bears a contact spring 83, which urges detent 8| in one direction, and against the movement of lever 80, when the latter is depressed by rear pin 69 of gear 31.

Lever 80 normally rests against the lower leg 81 of switch lever 15 (seen clearly in Fig. 13), which latter is pivoted at 88 in a suitable bracket. To this bracket is attached, and is insulated therefrom, a pair of contact springs 89, which are adapted to receive lower lever leg 81, when lever 80 is turned downwards by pin 69. This rear pin of gear 31 is intended to alternately operate levers 15 and 80. When lever 80 is depressed, the latter brings leg portion 81 of lever 15 in contact with springs. 89, while at the same time, turning shaft 19, and thereby operating detent 8| against the tension of spring 86. When lever 15 is engaged by the pin, lever extension 81 leaves contact springs 89 and pushes upwards lever 89, thus assuring the repositioning of detent BI to its normal station.

Referring now to the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 6, and to Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 14, as well as to the left-hand lower corner of Fig. 16. there will be seen a solenoid 90, with which operates an armature in the form of a lever arm 9I, which latter is pivoted at 92 upon electroconductive stand 93, and which arm has a rearward extension 94, normally pulled downwards by means of a spring 95, so that arm 9| is normally pulled upwards (see Fig. 11).

Lever arm 9| is designed for a number of functions, and is suitably shaped in order to cooperate with different parts of my device. Thus the arm is provided with a side extension 96, adapted to be alternately engaged by the two steps 82 and 83 of detent 8|. (See Figs. and 11.) Near its free end, arm 9| is recessed at 91 for its cooperation with a spring-induced detent lever 98. The extreme end of the arm is intended to engage contact blades 99. Furthermore, the arm is adapted to cooperate with a rotatably mounted fibre, or otherwise dielectric disk I00, pivoted at |0| on an insulated standard I02. This fibre disk is provided with an upper side extension I03, :by means of which the .disk may be moved when engaged by the upwardly forced arm 9|, and a lower side extension I04, serving as stop against the downward swing of disk I00, when the latter is released by arm 9|. This happens, when rest I95 of pivoted detent lever 98 moves beneath extension I04, the moment detent lever 98 becomes released by recess 91 at the end of arm 9|. Pivot 92 for arm 9| serves also as fulcrum for switch bar I96, adapted to engage spring contacts I91 and I08, when relay 90 becomes energized and attracts its armature, of which arm 9| and bar I09 form parts.

Rotatably supported in bracket I92, and insulated therefrom and from one another, are switch arms I09 and III], which are adapted to be simultaneously operated with fibre disk I90. Switch arm I09 has a conductive inlay III, which is insulated from arm I99; the latter is adapted to pass between three contact clips H2, H3, and H4 (see Fig. 10). Switch arm H0 is adapted to glide over two independent, insulated contacts II 5 and H6, and is itself supported by and insulated from standard I02. From this standard there extends upwards a bracket II1, to which is attached one end of spring II8, the other end of the spring being connected to extension II9 of fibre disk I90. Spring I|8 normally urges disk I00 in the direction of the arrow, and. consequently against the top of arm 19L Referring to Figs. 11 and 13, there will be observed (in Fig. 11), below about the middle of arm 9|, head I20 of vertical slide pin I2I, against which head bears the upper end of coil spring I22, whereas its lower end rests upon a washer I 23, supported by lever I24. The latter is connected with, but is insulated from shaft 19. Washer I23 is slidably mounted upon pin I2 I, and when shaft 19 is operated by means of arm (Fig. 13), lever I24 will elevate washer I23, thereby compressing spring I 22 and forcing head I20 against arm 9|, pushing it upwards.

Construction of volume control mechanism Referring to the left-hand, lower portion of Fig. 6, and to Figs. 7 and 8, and to the broken-off portion of the cabinet, illustrated near the righthand lower portion of Fig. 16, it will be seen that main gear 31 engages a spur gear I25, which is rotatably mounted upon a hollow shaft I25. To the hub of gear I25 is attached a bracket I21 (see Fig. 8), which rotates with the gear. Pivotally mounted upon bracket I21 is a lever I29, having a rearward extension I29 and a forward extension I30. A spring I3I normally urges lever I29 in the direction of the arrow, against the edge of disk I32, which latter is fixedly secured to the inner end of solid shaft I33. The latter is lodged within hollow shaft I26.

Disk I32 is designed to normally abut with gear I34, secured to the inner end of hollow shaft i736. This shaft is rotatably mounted in a sleeve I35, supported by standard I35. At the front end of solid end I33 is secured knob I4 (see Figs. 1, 6 and 16), provided with a pointer I39. Knob I4 and shaft I33 are urged outwards by expansion spring I31, which bears against a suitable plate or washer I38, secured to panel I I. The action of spring I31 presses disk I32 against gear I34, which latter serves for facilitating the presctting of the volume control of the receiver.

Extending from disk I32 is a stop I33, adapted to connect disk I32 with gear I34, and thereby solid shaft I33 with hollow shaft I22, by entering 1 any one of the spaces between two adjacent teeth of the gear, at any desired setting of the disk in respect to the gear. Such setting is accomplished by pressing knob I I, and thereby shaft I33 and disk I 32, against spring E31, until stop I33 clears the teeth of the gear. Now the disk is free to turn, and stop I39 may be adjusted to any desired position in respect to the gear, whereupon knob M is released, permitting spring Hi to force stop I39 into engagement with the teeth of gear I34.

Extending from the gear is a stop bracket Hi3, which latter, as well as adjustable stop I39, are intended to become engaged, from time to time, by rear extension I 29 of lever I28 during the automatic setting of the volume control of the receiver, while the latter is being automatically tuned.

At the front end of hollow shaft I28 is secured a sheave or pulley MI, which moves together with gear I 34, also mounted upon the shaft. I ll transmits its movement to a corresponding sheave MI provided with the shaft of the volume control of the receiver.

Mounted at the rear of spur gear I 25 will be observed a fixed cam I32, serving for the purpose of disengaging rear lever extension I29 from stop I39, when front lever extension I38 comes in contact with, and rides over the upper edge of cam I 42.

From Fig. 6 it will be seen that hollow shaft I 2% has an extension I43, between sheave MI and washer I38. This extension is provided with a cutout Hi4, which accommodates a pin I45 extending from solid shaft I33. The position of the pin coincides with that of stop I39 of disk I32. Cutout I33 serves as limiting means for the movement of pin M5, and therefore limits the move ment of solid shaft I33 in respect to hollow shaft I25 to an arc of about 180.

Setting of volume control When knob I l is pressed against spring I 38, shaft I33 moves inwards and releases disk I32 with its stop I39 from engagement with gear I34. In order to adjust the volume knob to the proper volume setting for a station to be tuned in, pressed-in knob I5 is now turned to the left, or in anti-clockwise direction, until extension I29 engages bracket Mil of the gear, and volume control of the receiver is set to zero. Then knob M is released and turned in clockwise direction until the desired. volume is reached. Then knob M is again pressed inwards and turned in anticlockwise direction until it encounters resistance, whereupon the knob is again released.

When the tuning mechanism is then operated, main gear 31 will first rotate in clockwise direction, whereby volume control gear I is caused to turn in anti-clockwise direction; thus the volume control is brought to a zero position. Upon further operation of the tuning device, gear 37 will be reversed in its rotation, moving anticlockwise, and causing gear I25 to rotate in clockwise direction. During the anti-clockwise rotation of volume gear I 25, rear extension I29 of pivoted lever I28 (which latter is suspended from bracket I21 moving in unison with gear I25), will engage bracket MI! of gear I34, whereby the latter, as well as hollow shaft I25 and pulley I lI, will be simultaneously moved in anti-clockwise direction.

Sheave Through this movement the volume control in the radio receiver will be turned down to zero. When the rotation of gear I25 is changed, rear extension I29 will engage stop member I39 and rotate gear I34 and pulley It! in clockwise direction, until forward extension I30 of lever I28 will ride over the cam surface I42, whereby lever I28 is tilted so that its rear extension I29 will clear stop I39. At this moment the rotation of wheel MI will stop, this being the proper volume setting for the station tuned in.

imc control The tuning of my device may be automatically controlled by a time piece, such as indicated at I5. The mechanism of this control is shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and at the left upper corner of Fig. 16. In these figures is illustrated an arm I lti, extending from time piece I5, and which is adapted to operate in the direction of arrow I when the clock mechanism releases it. Against arm M5 normally rests a lever I47, which is urged by a spring I 38 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow II. Lever M7 is pivotaliy mounted at M3 and is provided with a down-- ward extension IE6, which is adapted, when lever Ml is released, to descend upon knife blade HI, which latter is intended to engage contact springs 552. Knife blade It! is pivotally mounted at I53 to an armature I5 in cooperation with solenoid I When this solenoid is energized, armature I 54 is attracted, whereby knife blade Ilil leaves contact springs I52.

Control of supply current to receiver Referring again to Figs. 6, '7, and 16, there will be seen that from volume control gear extends forwards a pin I58, which is adapted adapted to pass between spring contacts ItI.

The lever arrangement, comprising leverI58 and blade Ifiil, forms a part of an armature I62 of solenoid Hi3.

Knife bladaliill is in permanent electric contact with an upright brush or contact spring 2st, asclearlyseen in Fig. '7. When pin I56 comes in-contact with cam I5? of lever I58, blade Iifi slips between contact blades I'iii, whereby the current for energizing the receiver is turned on. When solenoid IE3 is energized, blade Iliil is caused to leave contact blades I 6!, whereby the-current supply to the receiver is cut off.

Motor switch relay Referringto Figs. 2, 3, and 16, there is illustrateda solenoid 155, provided with an armature I65, which is pivoted at I IS! in an upright I68. Associated and operative with armature I553 is a contact blade I69, adapted to engage contact springs I'Ill when the solenoid is energized. Also 'operatively'secured to armature I 66 is a detent lever Ill, atthefree end of which is detent I72, adapted to-coo perate with a motor control switch H3. The latter consists of an insulated segment I'M, providedwith a notch or tooth IlIi, designed to be engaged by 'detent 812 when the motor of my device is to be energized. Insulating segment l 'l icarriesmetal contact plate Ilii, adapted to'pass between *tWo contact brushes I'll. The metal plate ofinsulated segment I14, rotatably while the open position of the switch is shown in mounted upon shaft I18, is electrically connected with the shaft, as are also all armatures of the clock and push-button relays, described later on. Shaft I18 is normally urged by a torsion spring I19, in the direction indicated by arrow III in Fig. 3. Detent I12, urged against the notch or tooth I15 in segment I14 by a spring I88, prevents spring I19 from turning shaft I18 when the detent engages the segment as seen in Fig. 3.

In this position plate I16 of the segment makes engage contact springs I10, and closes, through lead I10, the electric circuit for energizing solenoid I55 of the clock controlled mechanism. The position of motor switch segment I14 when released by detent I12, is shown in Fig. 16, at which position the supply current to the motor is cut off.

Push button control construction Referring now to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 16, and

particularly to Figs. 2, 4, and 16, it will be seen that shaft I18 electrically connects all armatures of the entire push button control mechanisms, plate I16 of the motor switch (shown in Fig, 3), and is mechanically connected with, but insulated from the speaker switch shown in Fig. 5.

A typical push button arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 4, showing a spring controlled push button I83, which may be any one of buttons I6 to I8, operating against a push plate I84, which is a part of a mounting I85, rotatably supported upon shaft I18. Fixeclly secured to the shaft is a lever I86, which bears against push plate I84 and tends to swing mounting I85 in clockwise direction, due to the action of shaft spring I19. Mounting I85 constitutes the armature of an individual solenoid I81, and possesses a longer contact blade I88, adapted to engage spring contacts I39, and a shorter contact blade I90, the latter being constantly engaged by a contact spring I9I, which latter is electrically connected with shaft I18, to assure positive electric connection between the latter and mounting I85. The position of the mounting illustrated in Fig. 4 shows that the mounting became actuated either by push button I83, or by energized solenoid I81;

this position of the mounting corresponds to the position of the motor switch illustrated in Fig. 3. The mounting is held in this position by detent I12, then engaging insulated segment I14, since, as has been said before, shaft I18 connects all push button mountings, as well as the motor and loud speaker switches. When detent I12 releases segment I14, extensions I85, bearing against push plates I84 of mounting I85, will bring the latter into the position illustrated in Fig. 16.

Loud speaker control switch The loud speaker of the receiver is controlled by a switch I92, shown in Fig. 5 in detail, and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 16. This switch consists of a dielectric disk I92, which is fastened to shaft I18, and possesses a metal contact surface I93, adapted to bridge contacts I94 and I95, after a station has been tuned in. The circuit closing position of switch I92 is illustrated in Fig. 16,

Fig. 5. This open position of the switch is maintained during the automatic tuning operation and until a station is tuned in. Only then the switch is moved to its circuit closing position.

Brake mechanism In order to stop excess rotation of the mechanism, due to the momentum of the parts driven by electric motor 32, there is provided a brake disk 51, already mentioned, against which operates a brake lever I96 (see middle portion of Fig. 15), designed to be operated by a relay I91, which latter becomes simultaneously energized with relay 62 mounted upon outer hollow shaft 38.

Automatic station tuning units Referring to Figs 1, 4, and 16. The automatic tuning control mechanisms operated by push buttons, such as described in connection with Fig. 4, are all alike, and are designated in Fig. 16, corresponding to the numerals denoting the push buttons, as follows: The combined clock and push button controlled switch mechanism is numbered I9. Th next six units are numbered I1, "'11, I1b, I1'e, I1'd, and I1e. The last control is designated as I8. Each of these mechanisms may be operated either manually by push buttons or electrically by their individual solenoids. Thus, mechanism I6 may be operated by either button I6 or by the clock controlled solenoid I98. The latter may be also energized through the operation of either glide contact I99 of stationary remote control 23, or by glide contact 200 of portable remote control 26, closing circuit leads I99 and 208', respectively.

All units I1 to I1'e, inclusive, may be actuated by either their respective push buttons I1 or through stationary or portable remote control switches 23 and 26, by means of which latter their respective individual relays (such as typical relay I81 of Fig. 4, or clock relay I98) may be energized.

Connected with and controlled by the last automatic tuning mechanism I8 is a glide switch arrangement 2IiI, having gliding contact arm 282, operated by knob I9 (Fig. l), which arm is adapted to close any of the circuits controlled by a number of contacts, such as 293 (Fig. 16). The number of such contacts is optional. Switch 20I, in conjunction with mechanism I8, is intended to provide means for facilitating automatic tunin of additional stations, beyond the number of stations controlled by the individual station tuning mechanisms I1 to '6.

Operation My system of controls provides, as has been stated previously,

First, automatic push button controlled tuning for a limited number of stations;

Second, automatic time controlled tuning of one pre-selected station;

Third, automatic tuning of additional stations through tuning control I8 and multiple station switch 28I;

Fourth, remote control tuning by fixed or stationary remote control 23;

Fifth, remote control tuning by portable remote control 26, and finally,

Sixth, automatic volume control for any station to be either manually or automatically tuned in by any of the five mentioned tuning provisions.

Clock-controlled tuning The hereinafter described operations of my device may be considered typical for any mode of automatic tuning provided in my system, with but a few changes.

Assume that it is desired to tune in a certain station at a certain hour. Pointer I of the clock is set to the desired hour, at which arm Hit of time piece I5 releases lever MI. The latter will actuate switch blade I5I to engage contacts I52, and close the following circuit: From the step-down transformer ST, through heavy lead 2E4, to clock controlled solenoid I98 of tuning unit It, from the solenoid through thin lead 285, to contacts I52, through switch blade IEI, armature I54, and thin lead 286, back to the transformer. In this manner solenoid I93 becomes energized, and attracts the armature 261 of tuning mechanism It. The armature descends and engages contact 293. (See Figs. 1, 14, and 16.) The movement of armature 287 causes common shaft I13 to turn against spring I19 (Fig. 2); shaft H8 is connected by lead 289 to the thin lead 206, issuing from the step-down transformer.

As armature it? engages contact 2% and turns shaft Hi8, motor switch I13 is moved to bring contact segment H6 into engagement with contacts III, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3.

Contacts III are connected by lead 2m to contact I91 of the device shown in Fig. 12. It is to be noted that during the rotation of shaft I78, caused by the action of armature ml, the loud speaker switch [$2 is turned to its contact breaking position, shown in Fig. 5, thereby cutting out the loud speaker during the automatic tuning operation.

Lead 2H3 of contacts Ill and It'd branches off at ZIii into the conductive base of toggle switch I I, and passes current through its shaft and contact face II to contact I2 and into conduit 2 I I, which latter leads to switch arm H9, now resting on contact IE5. (See Figs. 10, 12 and 16). From contact II 5 leads a short branch to the lower end of conduit 2I2, which conduit connects toggle switch contact spring 73 with armature sup porting post 93 of relay 9E1. Through this post current flows through armature arm at to lower detent rest 82 of detent BI, and from the detent through conduit 2I3 to motor rotation-changing switch lever IE9. Through the body of lever Hi9 current continues to flow over switch contact I I4, lead lid to motor brush 2 I l, through the motor armature to motor brush 2M, through conduit M5 to switch contact IIZ, over insulated plate I II of switch arm I09 to contact I It. From there the current flows over conduit 2m, motor field 2H, conduit branch 2H3 to thick-line lead 2%, connected with transformer ST.

Thus the motor 32 is energized, and is caused to rotate in anti-clockwise direction, in consequence whereof gear wheel 31 will turn in clockwise direction. This gear movement causes pin 61 to engage fork III of toggle switch II, which is thrown to a position whereby contact face II disengages contact 72 and engages contact 73. The rotation of gear 3'I, however, still continues in clockwise direction (since the flow of current through the operation of the toggle switch has not been changed, except that it flows now from contact I? to armature support 93 through the entire length of conduit 2I2), until rear pin as of the gear engages lever 8E! (see Fig. 13). The moment lever 80 is depressed by pin E59, it will turn shaft I9, and swing detent 8| backwards,

thereby releasing arm at to move upwards, until stopped by the upper step 83 of the detent. At the same time, lever I 2 1 (see Fig. 11) is caused to push head I 20 against arm 9!, which latter, being thus forcibly propelled in upward direction, moves fibre disk Hit, by way of its upper extension Itt (see Fig. 10), against the tension of spring IE8. This turnin motion of disk I89 causes switch arms I09 and III] to turn also, in which position they are temporarily held by lower disk extension Iti l, under which moves stop of detent lever 93, which latter became released from recess 9'? of arm 9!, when the arm was forcibly propelled upwards.

While fibre disk Hit, and switch arms I09 and H8 remain in their newly assumed, temporary position, certain changes in the circuit will take place.

Reversing of motor rotation From transformer ST current is supplied through conduits 2% and 2M, shaft H3, closed motor switch Il3, its contact I'll, through conduit 2 ill and through conduit 2 I0 to the conductive post of toggle switch II, and its plate II, as before. From the plate the current is now directed through contact 13 and conduit 2!?! directly to armature support 93, from there through arm 9| to the upper step 83 of detent iii; through the latter and conduit 2I3 to the now switched-over arm [@9.

As this switch arm changes its position, contact spring H2 connects directly with arm I09, while contact springs H3 and H4 engage insulated plate III. Thus the current is caused to flow through arm I09 to spring II2, and from there through conduit 2 I5 to motor brush 2M, through the motor armature to brush 2M, from there through conduit IE4 to contact Ii l, over plate III to contact H3, from there over conduit ZIS to field 2I'I, and from there over branch 2I8 to thick-line conduit 234, leading to the transformer. The motor rotation is now reversed and auses gear 53? to travel in anti-clockwise direcion.

It is to be noted that when pin 69 of gear 3i depressed lever 8t], during the initial clockwise travel of the ear, the end of lever 88 forced switch blade 87 of lever into engagement with contact springs 89 (see Figs. 13 and 16), and thereby established, through lead 2 I l, contact between heavy transformer lead 294 and, through lead EIQ', the brush 63' of insulated brush ring 63, mounted upon shaft 38.

Attention is also called to switch lever I II], now resting against contact plate IIii, which latter is connected through lead 2251) to contact spring I98 and to relay 99 of arm QI,

When clock relay I38 of tuning unit It became first energized, armature 201 engaged contact 288, thereby charging, through lead 222i extending from contact 268, glide contact spring 222 in engagement with disk d3 of shaft Ml, upon which disk is mounted contact lever 36. This lever corresponds in position to that of pointer M of tuning knob I3 (see Fig. 6), and must be preset to the station which is to be automatically tuned in by the time piece.

Contact arm 56 of disk 55, mounted on hollow shaft 39, is electrically connected through hearing post 223 to brush contact 64. As now gear 31 of shaft 38 turns in anti-clockwise direction, inner hollow shaft 39 is also caused to turn since rotation-transmitting armature lever 6i] of relay 62 meantime engaged notch 59 of rota tion-transmitting disk 58, which latter is keyed to shaft 39, as is also disk 55, supporting contact arm 56.

The moment contact arm 56 engages contact lever 46 of disk 43 (which lever 46 is pre-set to the desired station by knob I3), relay 62 on shaft 38 becomes energized, attracts its armature connected with rotation-transmitting lever 66, and swings the latter out of engagement with notch 59 of disk 58. Consequently the movement of shaft 39 stops, while gear 31 and shaft 38 continue to turn. The instantaneous stopping of shaft 39 is assured by the brake-action of armature I96 against brake disk 51, keyed to shaft 39, since relay I91 becomes simultaneously energized with relay 62.

It is obvious that during the aforedescribed movements, lever extension 81 of lever (see Fig. 13) is kept in engagement with contact springs 89, whereby the circuit, controlled by brushes 63 and 64, for energizing relays 62 and I91, remains closed. When shaft 39 stops, its sheave 54, operatively connected with sheave 54' of the radio tuning shaft, also stops, thereby completing the automatic tuning-in of the desired station by means of time piece I5, in accordance with the pre-setting of knob I3.

Automatic volume control setting As now gear 31 continues in its anti-clockwise rotation, it will continue rotating volume controlling spur gear I in clockwise direction. Similarly to pre-setting tuning knob I3, the volume control knob I4 is preset to the desired volume. The knob pointer I36, corresponding in position to stop I39 of disk I32 (see Figs. 6 and 8)is adjusted to a desired volume. As gear I25 turns clockwise, rear extension I29 (of lever I28, suspended from bracket I21, which is secured to the hub of gear I25) will engage stop I39 and will turn hollow shaft I26, and with it sheave I4I, connected with the volume control shaft of the receiver, until front lever extension I30 comes in contact with, and is lifted by cam I42. At that moment rear extension I29 disengages stop I39, causing the stopping of the movement of hollow shaft I26 and of the volume control shaft of the receiver, in accordance with the volume control pre-setting by knob I4.

While gear 31 still travels in anti-clockwise direction, its rear pin 69 engages lever 15, thereby disconnecting lever extension 81 from contact blades 89, breaking the circuit to brushes 63, and 64. During the reversed, anti-clockwise rotation of gear 31, its front pin 61 throws toggle switch II into the position shown in Fig. 16; this movement of switch II does not, however, alter the flow of current to motor brush 2I4'. As gear 31 nears the end of its anticlockwise movement, its other front pin 68 will throw switch lever 224 of switch 14 (see Fig. 7) into engagement with spring contacts 225. The latter are connected by leads 209 and 206 to the step-down transformer, whereas switch lever 224 is connected through its support and lead 224 to lead H4 and motor brush 2I4-. By this contact making action of switch 14, the flow of current to the motor brushes is changed, in that it now enters brush 2I4 instead of brush 2I4, which results in a momentary reversal of the motor and of the rotation of gear 31, to overcome, by what may be termed a kick-back, the momentum of the moving parts.

Since switch lever 224 is usually held out of contact with contact springs 225 by means of spring 226, the moment gear 31 is momentarily reversed in its movement (by the reversal of the motor) and travels now for a short distance in clockwise direction, pin 68 will release lever 221 of pin contact arm 224, permitting spring 226 to pull switch lever 224 out of engagement with contact springs 225, thereby breaking the circuit leading to motor brush 2 I, in consequence whereof the motor and gear 31 will stop.

When, through the action of time piece I5 motor 32 is first energized and commences to rotate gear 31 in clockwise direction, gear I25 will move anti-clockwise and will cause, through its pin I56, the movement of lever I58 of radio switch R. (connected with armature I62 of relay I63), in left hand direction, until switch blade I engages spring contacts I6I and closes the circuit energizing the receiver. This circuit may be easily traced in Fig. 16. Contacts I6I are connected by lead 228 to plug 229, from which latter leads conduit 230 to plug 23I. From this plug another lead 232 returns and connects with the bracket supporting switch blade I60 through 1 spring I64.

In order to turn off the supply current to the receiver, either hand switch 233 of the receiver, or switches 234 or 235 of the stationary or portable remote :controls 23 and 26, respectively, must be operated. This operation of the remote control switches energizes relay I63, which then attracts its armature I62, causing contact blade I60 to slide out of engagement with contact springs I6I. Heavy lead 236 connects relay I63 through heavy-line lead 264 to the step-down transformer, while lead 231 passes from the relay over switches 234 and 235 of the remote controls to light-line conduit 206 of the transformer. Both these switches are connected in parallel, whereby either one of them may be operated independently.

Energizing of audio circuit As stated previously, the audio circuit, controlled by switch I92, became deenergized at the moment shaft I18 was turned by armature 201, of tuning unit I6, when relay I98 became energized by the time piece. This movement of switch I92 took place simultaneously with the action of motor switch I13 to close the motor circuit, 1. e. prior to the automatic tuning and volume setting accomplished by the operation of the now energized motor.

Motor switch I13, held by detent I12, necessarily remains in this motor circuit closing position during the entire tuning operation, and holds switch I92 in open position. When the automatic tuning operation is completed, it becomes necessary to move audio circuit control switch I92 to its closing position. This is accomplished by the movement of toggle switch 1| to the position shown in Fig. 16, to which position the switch is brought during the anticlockwise rotation of gear 31 and its pin 61.

Current is now directed from contact 12 of the switch through conduit 2II to switch lever I50, still in contact with plate I I6, to both the relay and contact spring I08, whereby relay 90 becomes energized and attracts arm 9|. As the arm leaves upper detent rest 83 and skips over lower rest 82, it temporarily contacts with insulating member 84 and breaks the circuit flowing through detent 8|, until arm III is brought into engagement with lower rest 82 by the action of arm springSEi (see Fig. 11).

At the time arm 9! moves downwards, switch levers H8 and I09 are brought to the position shown in Fig. 16 by the spring H8 of fibre disk I66, which is moved towards extension H1 (see Fig. 10). Ihe switching over of lever Hi] from contact I it} to contact H would deenergize relay 98, for which reason contact blade I96 of the relay armature, moving simultaneously with arm 9i, is caused to engage contact springs I91 and I98. This establishes the following connection: from contact blade 12 over conduit 2 to lever H9, contact H5, lower end of conduits ZIP. to armature support 93, contact blade I96, spring contact I98 to the thin lead 229 of relay Bil, whereby the latter is re-energized and pulls down arm 9|.

At the time arm 9! descends, its extreme ends engages contact spring 99, connected through lead 238 to relay N5 of the motor switch. Since this relay is also connected by branch 239 to heavy conduit 2% of the transformer, it will become energized and will attract its armature H39 and lift detent I12 out of engagement with the tooth or notch provided in the dielectric segment I'M of motor switch I13. This movement releases shaft I18 to turn, due to the action of torsionspring H19 (see Fig. 2), with the result that all push button mechanisms are brought to a cooked, ready-to-be-operated position, while audio or loud-speaker switch I92 is so turned that its contact plate I93 will connect contact prongs led and I95, thereby energizing the audio transformer circuit and the loud speaker leads, illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17.

Automatic tuning by push buttons With the exception of push button I6, all other push buttons 81 and I8 may be employed for automatically tuning in stations, without the requirement of any manual pre-adjustment in the manner explained in connection with the clock controlled tuning operation.

By pushing in, for instance, the first button I1 (next to button it), a conductive connection is established between current-supplied shaft 518, armature 249 of push button mechanism i1, contact blades 2 H, lead 242 and top contact 11, which latter is mounted upon dielectric support 18.

When armature 248 is turned, shaft I18 must follow and causes motor switch M3 to energize motor 32, while the loud speaker switch I92 is moved to a deenergizing' position.

Now follow all the functions mentioned in connection with. the automatic, time-controlled tuning, except that rotating relay 62 becomes now energized, when glide contact 16, mounted with glide ring 64 upon gear shaft 38, touches contact point 11', during the second or reversed movement of gear 31, thereby causing motion transmitting lever 60 to disengage motion transmitting disk 58. Thus while shaft 38 may still rotate, shaft 39 is stopped from further rotation. The position of shaft 39 at the moment of its stopping corresponds to the station setting controlled by push-button mechanism I1.

The following will explain the operation of the circuits and mechanisms controlled by pushbutton l1.

As armature 249, actuated by push-button I1, engages contact MI and turns shaft I13, motor switch I13 is moved tov bring contact segment I78 into engagement with contacts I11. At the same time the rotation of the shaft I18 breaks the contacts of loud speaker switch I92 and cuts out current to the loud speaker. Contacts l11 are connected through leads Zlfl to contact I91 of Figure 12. A branch 2H3 of leads 219 connects with the base of toggle switch 1| and permits current to flow through its switch shaft and contact face 1| to contact 12 and into conductor ZII, which latter terminates in switch arm Ill), resting upon contact IE5, as shown in Figure 16. A short connection leads from contact H5 to conductor 2H2 which is connected with contact spring 13 of switch 1|, as well as with post 93 of relay 99. This post being conductive, passes current to armature arm 9i and from there to lower detent rest 82 of detent 8i and from the detent through conduits M3 to motor rotation changing switch lever I99.

Through the body of lever I99 current continues to flow over switch contact H4, lead H4 to motor brush 2 I4, through the motor armature to motor brush 2%, through conduit 2I5 to switch contact H2, over insulated plate III of switch arm N19 to contact II3. From there the current flows over conduit 2H5, motor field 2I1, conduit branch 2I8 to thick-line lead 264, connected with transformer ST.

Thus the motor 32 is energized, and is caused to rotate in anti-clockwise direction, in consequence whereof gear wheel 31 will turn in clockwise direction. This gear movement causes pin 61 to engage fork 19 of toggle switch 1|, which is thrown to a position whereby contact face 1| disengages contact 12 and engages contact 13. The rotation of gear 31, however, still continues in clockwise direction (since the flow of current through the operation of the toggle switch has not been changed, except that it flows now from contact 13 to armature support 93 through the entire length of conduit 2H2), until rear pin 69 of the gear engages lever 89 (see Fig. 13). The moment lever is depressed by pin 69, it will turn shaft 19, and swing detent 8| backwards, thereby releasing arm 9| to move upwards, until stopped by the upper step 83 of the detent. At the same time, lever I24 (see Fig. 11) is caused to push head I 29 against arm 9!, which latter, being thus forcibly propelled in upward direction, moves fibre disk I90, by way of its upper extension I93 (see Fig. 10), against the tension of spring II 8. This turning motion of disk I09 causes switch arms I 99 and [I0 to turn also, in which position they are temporarily held by lower disk extension Illa, under which moves stop I95. of detent lever 98, which latter became released from recess 91 of arm 9|, when the arm was forcibly propelled upwards.

While fibre disk Hi9, and switch arms I99 and H0 remain in their newly assumed, temporary position, certain changes in the circuit will take place.

Reversing of motor rotation From transformer ST current is supplied through conduits 296 and 299, shaft I18, closed motor switch I13, its contact I11, through conduit 2H] and through conduit 240' to the conductive post of toggle switch H, and its plate 1|, as before. From the plate the current is now directed through contact 13 and conduit 2I2 directly to armature support 93, from there through arm 9| to the upper step 83 of detent 8|; through the latter and conduit 253 to the now switched-over arm I99;

Asthis switch arm changes its position, contact spring H2 connects directly with arm I09, while contact springs H3 and H4 engage insulated plate III. Thus the current is caused to flow through arm I09 to spring H2, and from there through conduit 2I5 to motor brush 2I4', through the motor armature to brush 2I4, from there through conduit H4 to contact II4, over plate I I I to contact I I3, from there over conduit 2| 6 to field 2II, and from there over branch 2! to thick-line conduit 204, leading to the transformer. The motor rotation is now reversed and causes gear 31 to travel in anti-clockwise direction.

It is to be noted that when pin 69 of gear 31 depressed lever 80, during the initial clockwise travel of the gear, the end of lever 80 forced switch blade 8! of lever I5 into engagement with contact springs 89 (see Figs. 13 and 16), and thereby established, through lead 2| 9, contact between heavy transformer lead 204 and, through lead 2I9', the brush 63' of insulated brush ring 63, mounted upon shaft 38.

Attention is also called to switch lever IIO, now resting against contact plate I I6, which latter is connected through lead 220 to contact spring I08 and to relay 90 of arm 9|.

When armature 240 engages contact spring 24I, while push-button II; was first depressed, electric connection was established through conductor 242, between contact spring 24I and stationary station contact 11' mounted in support 18.

In connection with the tuning operation controlled by the clock movement it was stated that contact arm 56 of disk 55 controls, together with contact lever 46 of disk 43, relay 62 which is mounted on shaft 38.

In push-button tuning, contact arm I6 takes the place of contact arm 56, while stationary contacts 11 of contact support I8 take the function of contact lever 46 of disk 43. Contact lever 16, controlling relay 62, will energize the latter the moment the arm touches tuning contact 11'. At that moment connection is established from thin lead 209 through shaft I18, armature 240 to spring contact 24I, and from there through lead 242 to contact point 11, through contact arm I6 to relay 62, from the relay through brush contact 63' over leads 2I9, through switch blade 83 (see Figures 13 and 16), to lead 2I9 and back to heavy conductor 204. The moment relay 62 is energized, motion transmitting lever 60 is released from motion transmitting disk 58, and the further rotation of shaft 39 is terminated,

while shaft 38 may still continue to rotate.

Again the instantaneous stopping of shaft 39 is accomplished by the break action of armature I69 against break disk 51.

Automatic tuning by remote control Automatic tuning of additional stations Inasmuch as the tuning of stations by operating the limited number of buttons I1 is not adequate, my system is designed to add any number of stations for automatic tuning. For this purpose I have provided an auxiliary contact dial 20I, having a glide contact 202 and a plurality of contact points 203, the number of which points is limited only by the size of the dial and by the capacity of dielectric contact support I8.

Slide contact 202 is electrically connected through conduit 245 to contact clip 246 of push button mechanism I8. Contacts 263- are connected by conductors 241 to corresponding contacts 248, similar to contacts 17, mounted upon dielectric support I8.

Assume that glide contact 202 is placed upon the left end contact point 203 seen in Fig. 16. When now push button I8 is depressed, armature 249 is caused to engage contact springs 245, while shaft H8 is turned. Again motor switch I13 is thus moved into motor energizing position, whereupon gear 3! is set into motion and brings shaft 39 to a stop position, when glide contact I6 engages contact point 248, secured to contact point support I8.

Instead of actuating armature 249 by push button I8, the same results may be obtained by energizing relay 250 through remote controls 23 or 26, by placing slide contacts I39 and 200, respectively, upon the last right-hand contact points 25I and 252. The tuning operations are identical.

Recapitulatz'on From the foregoing detail description of the various devices employed in my system, as well as the indicated mode of operation by which the different types of automatic tuning are accomplished, clearly point to the essential fact that my invention broadly involves a novel method, whereby a considerably greater number of stations may be automatically tuned in, without the employment of complicated, expensive and cumbersome machinery, requiring endless attention and frequent repairs.

It is furthermore evident that my system provides for many different types of automatic tuning by the use of a single, compact, self-contained and simple mechanism, which is virtually independent from, but which may be adopted to any conventional type of existing receivers, without mechanical, electrical or other difiiculties, and which mechanism effects an automatic setting of the volume control of the receiver, for an automatically tuned-in station, which volume setting takes place simultaneously With the auto matic tuning. Under volume adjustment I include any one or more instrum-entalities for regulating the strength, the tone quality, or otherwise modulating the audio output of a receiver, and I wish it to be known that the part of my mechanism shown to be connected with but the single volume control of the indicated receiver. is meant to be only symbolic of its purpose, and that any suitable number of similar devices may be included in my mechanism for operating any number of volume modulating devices with which a receiver may be provided.

Incidental to the automatic setting of the volume control, which takes place simultaneously with the automatic tuning-in of a station, it may be noted that it is not essential to pre-set the volume control for each individual station, since usually a what may be termed universal presetting for the majority of stations will sufiice. This applies equally to those additional stations which are controlled by tuning unit I3.

Attention is again called to the loud speaker or audio-output-circuit control switch I92 and its operation, whereby prior to and during the tuning and volume control setting to audio output circuit is deenergized, until these operations are fully completed, whereupon switch I92 is closed, while at the same time the motor control switch H3 is caused to open.

A not-able feature of my mechanism is the arrangement and the cooperation of the different automatic station tuning units l6, ll" to ll'e, and I8, which may be actuated either manually by purely mechanical means, or electrically, when energized through the time piece or by way of the remote control devices previously mentioned. Particularly notable is the fact that the actuation of any one of the automatic tuning units, by any one of the three available methods, will move shaft H8, which mechanically connects the units, and thereby cause the operation of both the audio circuit control switch and of the motor switch.

It is also to be noted, that my entire mechanism, including the motorized portions, the automatic tuning units and the time control, constitutes, in principle, an entirely self-contained arrangement, which is fully independent of, and has nothing in common with a radio receiver, except that it is equiped with means whereby it may be mechanically and electrically connected with the usual controls of such receiver. The mechanical connection or connections between my mechanism and a receiver are of the simplest construction, consisting of elementary motion transmitting means, such as sheaves and belts,

gears (not shown) or any other eiTective instrumentalities; the electric connections are similarly simple and involve no changes whatsoever in the original Wiring of the receiver, since they concern merely the audio output circuit and nothing else.

Due to the foregoing provisions, my mechanism may be most easily associated with any type of existing receivers.

Obviously, the specific structural details of the devices described in connection with my system or;

are meant to be considered rather symbolic as to their intended functions, since it is quite evident that they may be constructed differently, or may be arranged in a difierent order, or may be considerably simplified and compacted, and yet be equally efiective for their ultimate, in tended purposes.

For the above reasons I reserve for myself the right to make changes and improvements as may become necessary or advisable, in adopting my system to economical and efficient production of my invention, without departing from the broad principle thereof, as defined in the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for facilitating the automatic and simultaneous setting, for any desired station, of the tuning and volume controls of an eXisting, normally manually operable radio receiver, a self-contained, motorized mechanism, independent from, but readily attachable to, or detachable from such receiver, and having means, corresponding to and operatively connectable with the tuning and volume controls of the receiver, said mechanism comprising a plurality of automatic staltion tuning units, operable both mechanically and electrically, manually actuated means for operating said units mechanically, time controlled means and remote controls for operating the units electrically, said units having means for mechanically connecting them, a motor control and an audio control switch operative with said connecting means, the latter means being adapted to be operated by the operation of any one of said units, to close the motor control switch and open the audio control switch, and means in said mechanism for keeping the latter switch open prior to and during the tuning and Volume setting operation, and to close it, when that operation terminates, While at the same time opening said motor control switch.

2. In a system for automatically tuning and automatically modulating the volume of a radio receiver, having the usual tuning and volume regulating instrumentalities, a self-contained automatically operating, motorized mechanism, normally independent from such receiver, but having means corresponding to and operatively connectable with said instrumentalities of the receiver, said mechanism comprising a time-controlled automatic tuning unit, a plurality of manually and electrically operative automatic tuning units, one of the latter units controlling a device for selecting and automatically tuning of additional stations, said mechanism including a motor, a plurality of rotatable devices driven by the motor, means for stopping the rotation of some of the devices when a desired station is tuned in, while the other rotatable devices continue operating, means for mechanically and electrically connecting all of said units, a motor switch and an audio circuit control switch associated with said units-connecting means, but electrically insulated from the latter switch, and means actuated by said rotatable devices for changing the direction of their rotation during the tuning operation 3. In a system for automatically tuning and automatically adjusting the volume of a radio receiver, provided with normally hand-operable tuning and volume regulating instrumentalities, a self-contained mechanism, normally independent from a receiver, but having means corresponding to, and capable of becoming operatively connected with such instrumentalities of a receiver, said mechanism comprising a motor driven device for automatically tuning-in desired stations and for automatically setting the volume control of the receiver, means for changing the rotation of said driven device, switch means controlling the supply of energy to the receiver operable by said driven device, a series of mechanically and electrically operabl station selecting units, a shaft mechanically and electrically connecting said units, a motor switch and an audio circuit control switch connected and operating with said shaft, push buttons for manually operating said units, switch-controlled relays for operating them electrically, said units, when operated, causing the turning of said shaft, whereby said motor switch is brought to a circuit closing position for energizing the motor, while said audio control switch is simultaneously brought to its circuit opening position for deenergizing the audio circuit of the receiver, means for maintaining the motor switch closed and the audio control switch open during the tuning operation of the driven device, and means, controlled by the latter device, for opening said motor switch and for simultaneously closing said audio control switch upon completion of the tuning operation.

4. A system, as set forth in claim 3, and switch means, controlled by said driven device, for momentarily reversing the operation of the latter, at the end of its working cycle.

5. In an automatic tuning mechanism, adapted to be operatively associated with the tuning and volume controls and the audio circuit of an existing radio receiver, a driven station tuning and volume setting device, a motor for operating it, a series of individual, manually and electrically operable station selecting units, an auxiliary station selecting member for tuning-in additional stations, controlled by one of the units, a time control governing another of the units, a shaft operatively and electrically connecting all of the units, a motor circuit control switch electrically and mechanically associated with the shaft, an audio circuit control switch mechanically connected with, but electrically insulated from the shaft, means for normally urging the shaft to turn in one direction, each of the units adapted, when actuated, to turn the shaft in opposite direction, and thereby to close the motor switch and to open the audio switch, means for keeping the shaft in this oppositely turned position, and the switches in their respective closed and open positions, during the tuning and volume setting operations, induced by the said device, and means, controlled by said device, for releasing the shaft to revert to its normal position, when the tuning and volume setting and the operating cycle of the device is completed, thereby opening the motor switch and closing the audio switch.

6. In a system for automatically tuning and automatically controlling the volume of a radio receiver, an independent mechanism adapted to be removably associated therewith, said mechanism comprising a series of operation-inducing,

station-selecting units, which are actuable either -l manually or electrically, and a motorized device, the latter having means corresponding .to and operatively associated with the tuning and volume controls of such radio receiver, one of the units being electrically actuable by a time piece,

an auxiliary multiple station tuning instrumentality electrically connected with and actuable by another of said units, stationary and portable remote controls electrically connected with and capable of actuating all of the units, except the one actuable by a time piece, a shaft connecting all of the units mechanically and electrically so that each individual unit may operate the shaft, means for urging the shaft to normally turn in one direction, said units being adapted, when actuated, to turn the shaft in opposite direction, a motor circuit controlling switch mechanically and electrically associated with the shaft and adapted to normally remain open when the shaft is in its normal position, an audio circuit controlling switch mechanically associated with, but electrically insulated from the shaft and adapted to normally remain closed when the shaft is in its normal position, means in cooperation with said motor switch for either engaging and holding the latter in closed motor energizing position, or for releasing it to assume its normal open position, said cooperating means being adapted to engage and hold the switch when the latter is moved by the turning of the shaft induced by the operation of one of the units, whereby the shaft is held in its oppositely turned position, and the audio switch in its open position; said motorized device comprising a rotatable instrumentality, reversible in its rotary movements, and provided with means for transmitting motion to the tuning and volume setting controls of a radio receiver, an instrumentality for reversing the rotation of the motor controlled by said device, and switch means, also controlled by the latter, for closing or opening the circuit for supplying electric energy to both the mechanism and the receiver.

GEORGE E. MASTERS, 

